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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/30/melting-antarctic-ice-predicted-to-cause-rapid-slowdown-of-deep-ocean-current-by-2050>
"Melting ice around Antarctica will cause a rapid slowdown of a major global
deep ocean current by 2050 that could alter the world’s climate for centuries
and accelerate sea level rise, according to scientists behind new research.
The research suggests if greenhouse gas emissions continue at today’s levels,
the current in the deepest parts of the ocean could slow down by 40% in only
three decades.
This, the scientists said, could generate a cascade of impacts that could push
up sea levels, alter weather patterns and starve marine life of a vital source
of nutrients.
A team of Australian scientists looked at the deep ocean current below 4,000
metres that originates in the cold, fresh and dense waters that plunge down off
Antarctica’s continental shelf and spread to ocean basins around the globe.
Prof Matt England, of the Climate Change Research Centre at the University of
New South Wales and a co-author of the research published in
Nature, said the
whole deep ocean current was heading for collapse on its current trajectory.
“In the past, these circulations have taken more than 1,000 years or so to
change, but this is happening over just a few decades. It’s way faster than we
thought these circulations could slow down.
“We are talking about the possible long-term extinction of an iconic water
mass.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
